Morning journal and courier., 1887-03-05
Saturday, March 5, 1887.
A SENSATION AT THE CAPITOL.

st1tute kBill on Grade crossings he"
 ported to the Senate.
 HARTFORD, March 4, 1887.
 Special to the JOURNAL CoURIER.1
 This has been an eventful day at the Capi- tol. Early in the session of the Senate Gov ernor Lounsbury sent in the nomination of s. M Hotchkiss, of Hartford, to be commis- sioner of the Labor bureau for four years from July next, succeeding Prof. Arthur T. Hadley, and also the nomination of H. w. Wooster, treasurer of the Saybrook Savings bank, to be bank commissioner for four years from July next, succeeding Commissioner Williams of New London. These complete the list of appointments required to be made within sixty days from the beginning of the session. To say that the nomination of Hotchkiss was surprise would be only put ting it mild. It is probable there was never a nomination made by any Governor that created such sensation about the legisla- tive halls as did MT. Hotchkiss' It was the sole topic of conversation about the corridors and the gentleman's antecedents and capabil- ities were freely discussed. MT. Hotchkiss is superintendent of the Hartford Paper Barrel company. He is about forty-ive years of
 
 was one of the contestants in the South school district fight of local fame. MT. H. w. Wooster, the nominee for bank commis- sioner is Republican and thirty-fve years of age He has an extensive knowledge of bank affairs and is we'll fitted for the posi- ton. He has held the position of treasurer of the Saybrook Savings bank for some years.
 In the House to-day there was the usual number of committee reports. The railroad committee reported bill which directs the railroad commissioners to require each rail road company to change yearly not less than two nor more than five per cent. of the grade crossings on it's line, and provides for a forfeit of $10O monthly for non -compli ance; the expense to be divided between the State and the railroad companies this basis. Railroads which pay no dividends to pay one-third of the expense and the State the remainder; railroads which have five per cent. to bear half the expense and over five per cent. three-ffths of the expense and that ten per cent. of the tax collected by the State from the railroad companies shall be set aside as fund for such expenditures, and that bridges over railroads shall be kept in repair by the town and roadways under the tracks be kept in repair by the railroad company. The above was a substitute bill. It was cal endared.
 The bill to enable the Evergreen Cemetery association of New Haven, to acquire land, which when acquired shall be used as public burying ground. was favorably reported to the fo- Tn tha ia tha hi I,f- ing towns from State taxation on property covered by the soldiers tax exemption law managed to pass although it was unfavora- ply reported.
 The talk of adjournment has been renewed by the Speakers conf erence with the com mittee chairmen, upon whom he yesterday urged the advisability of pushing things. Some of the committees have already finish ed their work and it is now thought there is a good chance for an adjournment by the, middle of April. The judiciary committee which has the greatest amount of work to perform, will, as expressed by member of that committee to-day, finish up by the sec ond week in April. The revision of the statutes is the most important work to come before them and this will take lengthy hear ings.
 The question whether or not the commit tee of the Senate on executive nominations will report favorably on the nomination of MT. Hotchkiss today by Governor Louns- bury is causing talk. The committee held a meeting after the nomination was made, but took no action. There was disagreement of opinion as to whether it was necessary to act to-day or not. The committee who will take action on it are Senators Gallagher, Walsh and Hills. It is obvious these gentlemen wish to become better acquainted with MT. Hotchkiss.
 The committee on finance is considering the advisability of recommending the ap- pointment of a tax commissioner. A tax commissioner has been recommended thrice and the recommendation has thrice been rejected. The commission at the hear ing urged the appointment on strong grounds and presents the with clear ness. ''We believe the time has come when such a measure must be adopted in order to make our tax system accomplish it's design. The additional expense attached to the crea- ton of a new office will, we are confident, be repaid many fold to the State itself by the in- crease of revenue which may fairly be antici- pated from the general supervision over it's assessment and collection to be exercised by the tax commissioner, while the adjustment of the State taxes between the towns can hardly fail to be made with more fairness and equality. The bill requires him to visit every town in the State at least once during his official term. This will give him an op- portunity to examine into the working of the law everywhere, to hear any complaints which may be preferred from any quarter and to give any necessary advice and assist ance to the local assessors and boards of re- lief" The finance committee will probably report favorably on the bill. Before this committee next week Wednesday the bill amending the law regarding railroad taxa tion will come up, and Thursday the bill imposing collateral inheritance tax. Not until week after next "Wednesday, March 16th,) will the great mote in the eyes of many, the exemption of bonds and other ev idences of indebtedness from taxation. be reached
 There will be lively time before the com 1nittee on fisheries next Tuesday when the adjourned hearingo abolishing the shell1sh commission will be resumed The hearing will in all probability be one of the longest hesrings of the session. There will be a bit ter fight both before the committee and in the House on the question. There is big batch of bills and petitions before the com mittee and scores of witnesses will testify. The Hon. Lynde Harrison and John w. filling are the advocates of those desiring the abolition of the commission and Attorneys Maltbie and Deming are in the employ of the commission. The bill as it now stands calls for the appoint ment of an oyster agent to succeed the pres ent commissioners, and it is said that if the bills go through Frederick Botsford, now the chief clerk in the office of the commissioners, will be pressed by his friends for the appoint ment.
 The committee on education were in ses- sion this afternoon and considered several bills of considerable importance. They were: For the support of kindergarten schools; re- lating to duties of school visitors; fixing compensation of school visitors at $2. 50 per day and such further pay as the towns may vote: that in towns where school districts are not consolidated the town boards shall consist of the several district committees; allowing election of women on school com mittees; authorizing investigation of indus trial and halliday schools. There was much testimony given. The judiciary this after noon had quite lengthy hearing on matters of but little interest to New Haveners. LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
 The annual visit to the Industrial school at Middletown was made day by the mem- bers of the committee on humane institu- tions and that on appropriations.
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